After breakfast, Yin Feng was in good spirits but had nothing to do. You Mingxu asked, “Do you want to watch TV?”

“No,” Yin Feng replied. “I’m not like you, watching that mindless stuff.”

You Mingxu wasn’t upset, thinking about how he used to watch Ultraman and Teletubbies at her house every day. A smile inadvertently touched her lips.

She then caught Yin Feng glancing at her before quickly averting his gaze. You Mingxu felt a strange stirring in her heart, sensing that he might have remembered the same thing, but when she looked at him again, his expression was as cold and distant as usual.

How much did he remember?

That peculiar feeling returned.

Why did it seem that after waking up from this injury, he was more aloof compared to his clingy behavior and unmasked possessiveness from before? There was something awkward about it.

But the current Yin Feng was such a mature and somber man—awkwardness shouldn’t suit him at all.

You Mingxu maintained her composure and asked, “What would you like to do this morning?”

After some thought, Yin Feng said, “Read to me.”

“What should I read?”

“Bring me my phone,” Yin Feng said.

You Mingxu held the phone in front of him, following his instructions until they found an electronic book—seemingly a popular collection of short stories. She picked it up and said, “I’ll start reading then.”

Yin Feng closed his eyes, a slight smile finally touching his lips. “Read,” he commanded.

You Mingxu didn’t bother arguing with her awkward patient and began reading. As a criminal investigator, apart from occasional books on psychology and criminology, how long had it been since she’d read such refined literature? Clearing her throat, she read the elegant, ethereal phrases. Though her reading lacked emotional depth, her voice was low and gentle, flowing smoothly.

After listening for a while, Yin Feng opened his eyes. The book covered half her face, revealing only her fair forehead and clear phoenix eyes. Yin Feng couldn’t help but think that in all their time together, this was the first time he’d seen her so docile and obedient—purchased with his blood, no less. He felt smug, tender, and inexplicably wronged. However he looked at it, he’d gotten the raw end of the deal in their relationship; he was the one caught in her web.

When she finished a short story and looked up at him, he spoke flatly, “From now on, read to me every night when you’re free.” His tone betrayed no emotion.

You Mingxu turned a page and said, “Dream on. Read it yourself once you’re healed.”

Something seemed to catch in Yin Feng’s chest, but he slowly smiled and said, “I could read to you instead. It’s all the same.”

Though they were talking about reading, it seemed they weren’t talking about reading at all.

You Mingxu paused for a moment, then pressed her fist against his forehead, saying coolly, “Behave yourself. A peacock can’t show off until its tail grows back.”

Yin Feng fell silent.

You Mingxu read for a while longer, glancing over the book to find his expression even colder, though his cheeks had taken on a slight flush.

Her heart fluttered. She wondered if his peculiar, passive-aggressive behavior had gotten worse since waking up this time. Could his injured brain have suffered some unknown damage?

She kept these thoughts to herself.

After reading for over half an hour, You Mingxu lowered the book to find him already asleep, his breathing deep and even. Given his severe injuries and their verbal sparring, it was natural that he needed rest.

You Mingxu notified the nurse, then went to visit Xu Mengshan and Jing Ping, chatting with them briefly before checking on other familiar colleagues. Finally, she went to see Tu Ya and Xiao Yan.

Since Yin Feng’s awakening, this was You Mingxu’s first time visiting them after their surgery.

They shared a room. You Mingxu was surprised to see Tu Ya already sitting up, his strong frame wrapped in bandages, absent-mindedly fiddling with the TV remote. Xiao Yan was still lying down, surprisingly with a half-eaten popsicle in his mouth.

Seeing You Mingxu, both brightened with joy.

You Mingxu’s heart softened more than it had with Yin Feng. However…

She walked to Xiao Yan’s bedside first. He froze as she pulled out the remaining popsicle and tossed it in the trash. “Who gave you this?” she asked.

Xiao Yan’s voice was barely above a whisper, and despite his pallor, he showed a trace of embarrassment. “Champion…”

You Mingxu: “No more.”

Xiao Yan: “Mm…”

Tu Ya glanced at Xiao Yan, a flash of schadenfreude crossing his face before turning puppy-dog eyes toward You Mingxu. “How’s Teacher Yin? Is he doing alright?”

You Mingxu answered, “He’s doing well, gradually improving. He just fell asleep.” Looking at Tu Ya’s bandages, she said coldly, “Who told you you could sit up?”

Tu Ya: “…”

Xiao Yan perked up, immediately tattling, “The nurse said he shouldn’t get up, but he did as soon as she left.”

Tu Ya stammered, “Miss Yu, I feel fine, it doesn’t hurt much…”

You Mingxu’s eyebrows furrowed. “Lie down.”

Tu Ya quietly lay back down, unable to suppress a sigh.

You Mingxu had come to check on them and express her gratitude—without their life-risking rescue, who knows where she’d be now? But having just scolded them, the words of thanks stuck in her throat.

Instead, she asked Xiao Yan, “Does your wound still hurt?”

Xiao Yan burrowed deeper under his blanket, only half his face visible. “It’s fine.” In truth, it hurt terribly, but he didn’t want to say so.

You Mingxu nodded and turned to Tu Ya. “And you?”

Tu Ya said, “I don’t hurt anymore.”

As if anyone would believe that.

You Mingxu finally said, “Thank you both. But next time, I hope you won’t take such risks.”

Tu Ya and Xiao Yan were silent for a few seconds before Tu Ya smiled and said, “I was happy to.”

Xiao Yan quickly added, “Me too.”

You Mingxu knew they were as stubborn as Yin Feng and didn’t press further. As a police officer, she had seen many acts of valor. But yesterday’s scenes—Tu Ya’s bloodied crash, and Xiao Yan’s silent fall into the bushes—would be forever etched in her memory.

Great debts need no words of thanks. You Mingxu didn’t want to say anything sentimental to them, but in her heart, she now counted them among trusted companions like Xu Mengshan and Jing Ping.

She said, “Rest well, I’ll come back this afternoon.” After checking their complexions again, she added, “If I catch you misbehaving again, I’ll tell Yin Feng and let him deal with you.”

Tu Ya frowned and sighed again, saying, “Understood.”

You Mingxu looked at Xiao Yan, who quickly said “Understood, Boss Lady” before ducking under his blanket.

You Mingxu’s face heated up, while Tu Ya laughed, thinking how clever Xiao Yan was. As You Mingxu turned to leave the room, Tu Ya called out, “Take care, Boss Lady.”

Walking away, You Mingxu couldn’t help but smile too.